Obama Commits to At Least 14 Fundraisers

President Barack Obama will hold at least 14 fundraisers this year to support Democratic efforts to take control of the House and hold the majority in the Senate.

The president has committed to 10 events outside of Washington, five each for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He also will make separate and joint appearances for the committees in Washington.

Obama is the country’s best fundraiser and his appearances will boost both committees as they stockpile resources this year for competitive races in 2014.

House Democrats must win a net of 17 seats to take the majority. Senate Republicans need to net six seats to take back control of that chamber.

The news of the Obama-led fundraisers particularly will boost the DCCC, which primarily will play offense this cycle. Obama-Biden 2012 Campaign Manager Jim Messina told DCCC Chairman Steve Israel of New York, the good news earlier this week.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. also is expected to do fundraising events for the DCCC.

The New York Times first reported the news of Obama’s commitment to fundraise, which three Democratic officials confirmed to CQ Roll Call.

Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee is also ramping up its off-year fundraising.

The NRCC announced Thursday that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will headline House Republicans’ major fundraising dinner.

Walker, hailed by conservatives as a collective-bargaining-busting hero, will deliver the keynote address at the NRCC’s annual event, set for March 20 at the National Building Museum.

Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, dinner chairman and 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee, will work with Walker and other members on fundraising.

The dinners have a history of bringing in big money for the GOP. The 2012 dinner featured South Carolina Gov. Nikki R. Haley as the headliner and brought in a hefty $12 million.

The news that Walker will headline this year’s dinner was first reported by Yahoo News.

During the 2012 cycle, the DCCC raised $184 million to the NRCC’s $156 million.

The DCCC ended the cycle with a debt of $13.5 million to the NRCC’s $12 million.

Both the DCCC and the NRCC had $1.5 million in cash on hand at the end of December.

The four House and Senate political committees pay off debts and build up war chests in the off-year to prepare for the election year, when tens of millions are dollars are spent in the waning months of the campaign.